Brick sander and method



June 30, 1931. F. F. STEELE IBRCK SANDER AND METHOD 2 Sheets-sheet 1 Filed Nov. 7, 1929 RF, Si@ Z6 atto/:114,11

`June 30, 1931. v F, F. STEL 1,812,809

BRICK SANDER AND METHOD Filed Nov. '7. 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FF/S'eele abbo: m41

Patented June 30, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENTV- OFFICE FLAKE F. STEELE, OF WINSTON-SALEM, NORTH CAROLINA, ASSIGNOR TO PINE `HALL BRICK & PIPE CQ-p, 0F WINSTON-SALEM, NORTH CAROLINA, A CORPORATION OF NORTH CAROLINA v BRICK SANDER AND METHOD applicati@ sied November 7, 192e. :serial No. 405,450.

` provide a brick lhaving'a sanded surface "or face which will be in all respects similar to sanded handmadebricks although'the present invention is designedto lapplythesand'to the -10 bricks orto Jche clay column 'from 'which ythe bricks arecut, as the sameiissues fromthedie ofthe brick machine.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved means lfor applying sand to a column of brick clay or to .the -c'utbrick wherein theV body .of clay `is lprepared prevously yto the application ofthe sand ythereto so that the surfaces `to be sanded will be softened permitting `the sand to :be easily embedded therein. Y

Still another object of 'theinvention is `to provi-de an improved means for applyingY sand'to a Aclay column from which brick are to be formed 'by forcing the clay column through a pile lof sand,`the weight Iof 'ithe sand pile against 'the clay'column being depended upon to supply'the necessary amount of pressure to embed `the sand therein;

A still further object of the inventionis to provide a structure of unique `design for applying sand lto a clag7 column from which bricks are to be formed. y

The invention will be best understood from a consideration of the following detailed descriptiontakenin connection withthe accompanying drawings forming part of this specication, with the understanding, however, that the invention is not confined to any strict conformity with the showing of the drawings but may be changed or modified so long as such vchanges or modifications ymark no material .departure from the salient features of the invention as expressed in the appended claims.

In the drawings Figure 1 isla view in top plan of ythe structure embodying the vpresent invention.

Figure 2 is a yside elevational 'View .of 'the' S21/Ille.. l l. v V.l

Figure 3 is a-centrall'ongitudinal section through the sandreceptacle of the device.

Figure .Ll is 'a transverse Vsection taken on the line 4 4 of Figure 3.

Figure .5 .is a sectional-view taken on the line 5-5 of FigureQ.

Referring more particularly to the drawings wherein like numerals oflreference indicate corresponding parts throughout the` several jviews, the numeral 1 indicates a die forming a part of a stiff mudauger brick forming machine, through which a column of stiff clay is forced in the correct size to form brick of the usualV length and width, wire cutters (notV shown) .being lnormally employedfor cutting this column transversely to form the brick. The stil clay column is indicated generally `by the numeral 2 and as thesame issues from the `die it moves onto a moving belt conveyor 3 by which it is carried to 'the cutting machine. These conveyors usually comprise a belt 4 moving lover transverse lrollers 5 which are mounted between stationary side rails 6.

In carrying out the present inventionthere vis provided a boX or rhopper`7 which is open top and bottom as shown, 'the box being placed over theconveyor'belt 4: with the side walls Sresting upon'the rails6. Each of the end walls 9 of the bonr has formed `therethrough aniopening 10 which is of the proper size and shapeto permit the clay column 2 to pass therethrough. Secured to the inner face of each side wall of the box is a flap 11 which is preferably of belting material and which is of sufficient width to extend in to a point in close proXimity'to the side of the'clay column passing :through the box, the conveyor belt 4; supporting the flaps in the manner shown.

At the forward or outlet end of the box 7 there is pivotally attached to the forward end wall at `each side of the clay column a wiper blade 12 which is normally urged against the acent side of the clay column by a spring 13. y

Forwardly of the wiper blades 12 there is `mounted "upon 'suitable side uprights 14 a roller 15 which extends transversely of the top of the clay column and which is designed te brrr lightly thereagainst Formally :et

Veo

the supports 14 for the roller 15 there are mounted at the sides of the clay column the upright rollers 16 which bear against the adjacent sides of the column and forwardly of these side or upright rollers there is ar ranged over the clay column at an oblique angle thereto a scraper blade 17 which acts to remove surplus sand from the column of clay.

In the rear or inlet end of the box 7 there is mounted to extend transversely thereof over the clay column a water pipe 18 which is perforated to eject a spray of water onto the column as it passes through the box. The control of the water emitted from this pipe is maintained through the use of a valve 19.

In carrying out a sanding operation with the apparatus described, sand is stacked in the box 7 in the forward end thereof in the manner shown to cover the column of clay passing therethrough. The clay column in the rear end of the box is left uncovered so that water sprayed from the pipe 18 will come directly into contact therewith so that the top and sides of the column will be softened. As this softened portion of the column moves through the mound of sand the faces thereof will have a substanti al amount of the sand ground thereinto and then as the column passes out of the box the wipers 12 will remove excess sand from' the sides and the rollers 15 and 16 will firmly press the sand into the column as it passes thereby.

By providing the flaps 11 in the bottom of the box 7 at the sides of the clay column the water discharged into the box is prevented from running out and also the mound of sand is supported in place at the sides of the clay column. Due to the fact that the clay column moves through the sand away from that end of the box in which the water spray pipe is positioned the sand is kept stacked in the forward end of the box leaving a portion of the clay column uncovered for the action of the water sprayed thereon.

-After the application of the sand to the brick column the same may be cut to form the bricks of the usual thickness and these after being burned give the brick a thoroughly sanded surface which will not rub clean.

While I have confined my description to the application of the sand to an uncut column of clay it is of course to be understood that I do not wish to be limited in any manner by this description for it will be obvious that the same method herein described may 'be employed for applying sand to the faces ofbrick after the same have been cut.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is Y 1. The herein described method of sanding a clay body which consists in flushing the I same with water to soak int-o and soften the surfaces to be sanded and then conveying the same through a mound of sand to permit the same to be embedded in the body through frictional contact of the sand therewith under the pressure of the weight exerted on the body by the sand mound.

2. The herein described method of pro ducing a sanded brick which consists in flushing the surfaces of the clay body with water to soften the same and retaining the water thereabout to thoroughly soften the surfaces, then conveying the same through a mound of sand to cause particles thereof to adhere to the moist-cned surfaces, then moving the body between pressing devices for forcing the sand thereinto.

3. A device for sanding a brick clay column, comprising a receptacle of substantial depth having opposite walls provided with apertures for the passage therethrough of a formed clay column, the receptacle being of substantially greater width than the column and designed to contain sand covering` the column, means in the receptacle above the clay column for flushing water thereon, means in the lower part of the receptacle at each side thereof for preventing the escape of material therein, and means for removing excess sand from the column after the same has passed through the receptacle.

ai. A device for sanding a brick clay column. comprising a receptacle of substantial depth having opposite walls provided with apertures for the passage therethrough of a formed clav column, the receptacle being of substantially greater width than the column and designed to contain sand covering the column, means in the receptacle above the clay column for` flushing water thereon, means in the lower part of the receptacle at each side thereof for preventing the escape of material therein, and spring pressed wipers arranged to engage the sanded faces of the column to remove excess sand therefrom.

5. A device for sanding a brick clay column. comprising a receptacle of substantial depth having opposite walls provided with apertures for the passage therethrough of a formed clav column, the receptacle being of substantially greater width than the column and designed to contain sand covering the column, means in the receptacle above the clay column for flushing water thereon, means in the lower part of the receptacle at` each. side thereof for preventing the escape of material therein, wiper members arranged to remove excess sand from the sanded surfaces of the column, and pressing rollers arranged to apply pressure to the sanded surfaces for thoroughly embedding the sand therein.

6. A. device for applying granular material to a brick clay column, comprising a receptacle having openings through opposite walls thereof for the passage of a clay column therethrough, thev receptacle being of greater width than the column and of a depth greater than the height thereof, the receptacle being .designed to contain sand to cover the top and sides of the column, means for discharging Water into the receptacle at a point adjacent the opening through which the column enters, and means in the loWer part of the. receptacle at the sides of the column for preventing the escape of sand or Water, whereby the column 'faces are caused to become thoroughly soaked before passing through the sand.

In testimony whereof I hereunto aiiiX my signature. l

FLAKE F. STEELE. 

